WICKEDNESS IN THE NAME OF RELIGION?

Chuck Northrop

One of the most shocking and devastating incidents of recent history is what happened a few years ago in Waco, Texas. A religious cult was investigated and as a result, a band from the “Alcohol, Tobacco, and Firearms Agency” stormed the cult’s compound. Four men were killed and numerous others injured. In the final outcome, many more were killed including children.

The world continues to have a proverbial “hay–day” because of the numbers of so-called religious leaders who commit wickedness in the name of religion. A listing of such incidents would be impossible. Sadly, every kind of wickedness has been committed in the name of religion from covetousness to fornication to murder. With such hypocrisy, it is no wonder why so many are disgusted with religion.

In reaction to this, some in so-called “Christianity” are stating that Christianity is not a religion. However, by inspiration of God James speaks of religion in reference to Christians. He said, “If any man among you seem to be religious, and bridleth not his tongue, but deceiveth his own heart, this man’s religion is vain. Pure religion and undefiled before God and the Father is this, To visit the fatherless and widows in their affliction, and to keep himself unspotted from the world” (James 1:26-27). The word religion refers to the external, ceremonial aspect of service. That is why James includes three facets of pure, undefiled religion: ➀ Bridling one’s tongue; ➁ Visiting the fatherless and widows in their affliction; and ➂ Keeping oneself unspotted from the world. In contrast to the superstitious religions of that day (and of this day), Christianity is from the heart, and it expresses itself by the way Christians live.

Christians are religious, and Christianity is a religion. However, this is the only thing that it has in common with the world’s religions. The world’s religions offer superstitions. Christianity offers meaning to life. The world’s religions offer superstitions. Christianity offers answers to life. The world’s religions offer superstitions. Christianity offers life! Superstitions offer death. Situations as described above are a reflection upon all religions because the world does not understand the one true, pure, undefiled religion — Christianity.